Serious Dwight: Do Magic owe SI apology?

So now we have the serious Dwight Howard instead of the silly Dwight Howard.

He's a changed man, apparently.

Those in the organization who have even called him "The Big Silly" have seen a noticeable difference in his demeanor.

Hmmm. Last year the Magic, Stan Van Gundy in particular, blasted Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix for his cover piece that asked the question whether Howard was serious enough. It was titled, "TOO MUCH FUN. Can the Magic's dunk machine get serious for a moment."

Van Gundy called the story "ridiculous."

But Van Gundy has praised Howard's seriousness in camp, saying he "hasn't broken" from that demeanor and hasn't been "goofing around." He said it has trickled down to the rest of the team.

Howard has been more stoic, and already had his game-face screwed on in the preseason opener against Houston.